Electronic Cigarettes: Fact or Fiction

The electronic cigarette is gaining popularity and generating controversy around the world. If you're unfamiliar with the device, or just want to learn more about smokeless cigarettes, brush up on your "e-cig" knowledge with this quiz.

Start Quiz »

You scored

0 out of 20

Question 1 of 20

Electronic cigarettes contain less nicotine than regular cigarettes.

Fact

Fiction

The nicotine content of an e-cigarette depends on the liquid-nicotine cartridge used with it. Cartridges are sold containing nicotine in various amounts, and even without nicotine.

Question 2 of 20

E-cigarette manufacturers market to young smokers and claim their product is safe for users under 18.

Fact

Fiction

Most makers of e-cigarettes are careful not to directly market to young people. However, they offer nicotine cartridges in flavors like chocolate, strawberry, banana and cookies-and-cream, which many e-cig opponents argue are designed to appeal to children and adolescents.

Question 3 of 20

The electronic cigarette is reusable.

Fact

Unlike a regular cigarette, the e-cigarette can be reused. Instead of throwing it away when it's out of nicotine, users replace the e-cig's liquid-nicotine cartridge.

Fiction

Question 4 of 20

If you light an electronic cigarette with a match, it might explode.

Fact

The lithium battery in the e-cigarette could explode if exposed to extreme heat.

Fiction

Question 5 of 20

Electronic cigarettes look nothing like regular cigarettes.

Fact

Fiction

There are models of e-cigarettes that look almost exactly like regular cigarettes. There are also e-cigarettes designed to look like cigars, pipes or pens.

Question 6 of 20

When you inhale on an e-cigarette, the end of it glows.

Fact

There's no flame or ash, but most manufacturers add a red LED light at the end of the e-cigarette, which lights up when the user inhales.

Fiction

Question 7 of 20

The liquid that fills an e-cigarette cartridge is made of the same chemical used in machines that create "fog" for stage shows.

Fact

The liquid in the e-cigarette cartridges -- propylene glycol -- is also used in fog machines and is an FDA-approved food additive.

Fiction

Question 8 of 20

Electronic cigarettes were introduced to the American market in 1990.

Fact

Fiction

They actually haven't been around that long. They have been on the U.S. market since 2007.

Question 9 of 20

Smokers of electronic cigarettes refer to themselves as "vapers."

Fact

Because e-cigarettes produce vapor, not smoke, users have coined themselves as vapers instead of smokers. There are online forums and blogs devoted to "vaping."

Fiction

Question 10 of 20

Standard regulations are in place to restrict the use of electronic cigarettes.

Fact

Fiction

Different U.S. states and countries worldwide have varying rules regulating e-cigarettes, that allows them to be imported, sold, distributed and used in some places, while they are banned in others.

Question 11 of 20

In 2009, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed a bill that would ban the sale of e-cigarettes within the state.

Fact

Then Governor Schwarzenegger did veto the bill saying that if people age 18 and over want to use these products, they should be able to.

Fiction

Question 12 of 20

Electronic cigarettes are illegal in the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and Mexico.

Fact

Fiction

While Australia, Canada and Mexico have banned e-cigarettes, they are legal in the United Kingdom.

Question 13 of 20

FDA tests of nicotine cartridges failed to show the presence of dangerous substances.

Fact

Fiction

FDA testing of 19 cartridges from two e-cigarette makers showed the presence of "tobacco-specific impurities suspected of being harmful to humans."

Question 14 of 20

In the United States, the nicotine cartridges used in e-cigarettes are subject to the same tax as tobacco.

Fact

Fiction

E-cigarettes are not subjected to a tobacco tax, because the cartridges contain no tobacco, only nicotine.

Question 15 of 20

The American Medical Association (AMA) says that electronic cigarettes should be regulated by the FDA as drug-delivery devices.

Fact

The AMA believes that e-cigarettes should be subjected to the same restrictions as tobacco and should be covered by smoke-free laws.

Fiction

Question 16 of 20

The electronic cigarette was invented in the United States.

Fact

Fiction

The device was actually invented in China by pharmacist Hon Lik, who patented it in 2003.

Question 17 of 20

Electronic cigarettes have been shown to be as effective as the nicotine patch or nicotine gum in helping people quit smoking.

Fact

Fiction

While there is anecdotal evidence from users that e-cigarettes have helped them quit smoking, adequate research has not been completed to determine whether e-cigarettes are effective or safe as a smoking-cessation device.

Question 18 of 20

In addition to liquid nicotine, some companies sell the liquid form of other drugs, which can be vaporized and inhaled using the e-cigarette device.

Fact

The FDA has issued warnings to at least one company for selling drugs in liquid form to be used with an electronic cigarette. These include the liquid forms of tadalafil, an erectile dysfunction drug, and rimonabant, a weight-loss drug not approved for use in the United States.

Fiction

Question 19 of 20

The FDA has stated that it will never approve electronic cigarettes.

Fact

Fiction

In September 2010, the FDA issued a letter to the Electronic Cigarette Association, offering to work with manufacturers in lawfully marketing the devices in a way consistent with the public health.

Question 20 of 20

Consumers must show proof of age when purchasing electronic cigarettes.

Fact

Fiction

Some companies require proof of age, but there are many others selling e-cigarettes online that don't require it.